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Do They Make Special GPS for Truck Drivers?

GPS for Truck Drivers

Whether you drive the same route every day or you take on new trips every time you drive, you can’t ignore the benefits of a solid GPS system. Reading maps can be tricky and even dangerous if you try to read while driving. Furthermore, maps may not have up-to-date information on bridge weight limits, closed roads, and alternate routes.

However, you can’t just take the GPS from your car and pop it into your truck. Find out what you need to look for in GPS for truck drivers.

Special Trucking Routes

You need to choose a GPS system that has a set of maps that limit you to trucking routes. As noted on TruckingTruth, a car-based GPS system will undoubtedly do you wrong at some point, either by taking you to a bridge that doesn’t accommodate the weight you’re carrying or getting you stuck in a residential cul-de-sac. You may be able to use a standard GPS system as long as it has support for trucking maps, which a growing number of GPS devices do.

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Traffic Updates

When picking the best trucker GPS device, choose one with real-time traffic updates. You don’t know wasted time until you get stuck on the Tri-State Tollway between 2:00 and 5:00 P.M. GPS that connects to a real-time system and provides updates on current traffic conditions can help you plan your breaks, take alternate routes if needed, and provide accurate arrival times.

Toll Estimates

Trucking tolls add up fast, and most GPS systems don’t include information on where tolls are or how much they cost, especially for trucks. A GPS for truckers should plug in your route, tell you where tolls are, and give you an estimate for the amount you’ll spend on tolls.

Bridge and Overpass Information

Some bridges have low weight limits that do not accommodate commercial trucks, and some overpasses are low enough that commercial trucks cannot drive underneath them. Trucker GPS systems should indicate where these trouble spots are on your route and help you avoid them with other routes.

Durable Enough for Trucks

A GPS for truckers must be durable, since it usually gets much more use than a personal use GPS system. It must be able to run for hours at a time, charge quickly, and withstand a rugged cab setting.

The good news is that there are many new trucker GPS systems available today, so you can find one that works well with your truck and not have to worry about low bridges and residential routes. Companies like Rand McNally and Garmin are introducing GPS systems for commercial trucks to the market, so test them out and see what works for you.